BMW R23
Developed from the single-cylinder BMW R20 of 1937/38, itself a development of BMW's best-selling R2, the R23 was produced between 1938 and 1940, 8,021 examples being sold. Powered by an overhead-valve engine producing 10bhp, the BMW R23 came with a four-speed gearbox and featured shaft drive like the larger models. Weight with a full tank of fuel was 297lbs and the top speed around 60mph (97km/h). This R23 was completed on 22nd December 1939 and delivered to Nibbrig & Greeve in the Netherlands on 23rd July 1940, two months after the Dutch had surrendered to the invading German forces!
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| Manufacturer | BMW |
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| Also called | R 23 |
| Production | 1938 - 1940 |
| Class | Classic |
| Engine | single cylinder, four-stroke |
| Bore / Stroke | 68.0mm x 68.0mm |
| Compression ratio | 6.75:1 |
| Top speed | 59 mph (95 km/h) |
| Horse Power | 9.79 HP (7.3 KW) @ 5400RPM |
| Ignition type | battery |
| Battery | 6.1:1 |
| Transmission | Gear box: 3-speed Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan) |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic fork Rear: rigid |
| Brakes | Front: expanding brake (drum brake) Rear: expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Front Tire | 2.99-19 |
| Rear Tire | 2.99-19 |
| Wheelbase | 52.36 inches (1330 mm) |
| Dimensions | L 78.74 inches (2000 mm) W 31.5 inches (800 mm) H 35.43 inches (900 mm) |
| Weight | (dry), 135.0 kg (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.54 Gallon (9.60 Liters) |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
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The BMW R23 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1938 and 1940. It could reach a top speed of 59 mph (95 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 9.79 HP (7.3 KW) @ 5400 RPM.
Engine
The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 68.0mm bore x 68.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 247.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).
Drive
The bike has a 3-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the single plate dry.
Chassis
It came with a 2.99-19 front tire and a 2.99-19 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a rigid. The R23 was fitted with a 2.54 Gallon (9.60 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 52.36 inches (1330 mm) long.
1938 - 1940 BMW R 23
The 1938 BMW R 23 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 247cc, single cylinder lump mated to a three-speed manual transmission that can produce a claimed 12 horsepower at 5600 rpm. It comes with laced wheels, a sprung seat, a suspension package with a telescopic fork in the front and a hard-tail rear unit, full-coverage fenders, a large headlamp, wide handlebars, and a rear luggage rack.